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World Mental Health Day is celebrated every year on the 10th of October. 2024’s theme was bringing attention to ‘Workplace Mental Health’, which is one of the reasons I started hiking and going out as often as I could.

No one to go hiking with? No worries—you can absolutely do it solo! While it might take a bit of extra motivation, the key is simply getting outside, immersing yourself in nature, and enjoying the present moment. Lee Jones, also known as Welsh Man Walking, is one of the top explorers on Outdooractive.

In an exclusive interview, Lee shares his insights on how hiking benefits mental health, how to make it a part of your daily routine, and how it helped him build a thriving community.


1. How has hiking influenced your life? What has it done for your mental and physical health? And what role does hiking with others play in this?

Hiking was a way to have some time to myself, we all have moments in our lives that are hard to cope with, and I have had a few, but looking back now they are all just chapters, and it’s only from going through it, hopefully finding an answer to help with those moments and then coming out the other side, that you realize the benefits of getting out in nature and hiking.

Hiking has changed my life, it’s given me a positive routine, various challenges, and opportunities to plan and train towards, which I have found to be the best way forward for me, to put things on the calendar and to train toward them and work out what kit I need.

Going out solo does have huge benefits, sometimes you just need some time to yourself. To sit on a mountain with a coffee and a pastry is very good for you. Hiking allows you to walk and talk, and once you start to feel better mentally, talking to others who are out with you is a huge boost, if you are in a group, you watch everyone talking to each other, telling their stories, laughing and helping each other out, it’s huge and I can’t express how much I love it.

I have also seen the physical benefits, I train hard, which has helped me push on to bigger mountains. I have lost weight, I am fitter and stronger than I have been since my accident playing rugby at 20 years of age, so to those who say I’m too old to do things, it’s a myth, you can do it, you just need to start and then stick at it, but I understand there are boundaries, and that’s a good thing.


2. What compelled you to start Welsh Man Walking? And what is Welsh Man Walking all about?

Once I started hiking and exploring I was going solo, and I did that for 3-4 years. I enjoyed the time out, the workout at my own pace, and exploring parts of the UK and mainland Europe. I then started posting my pictures and videos on social media, and within no time, I was being asked the same questions which were mainly, “Where do you start?”, “Is it safe?”, “How do you know which way to go?”. And my friends started asking if they could come along, and what kit they would need.

So that’s when I thought I’d start putting the routes together on a website, and put all my web skills into practice so that anyone who fancies getting out there can find the information they need and have the confidence to do it.

I also wanted the information to be easy to understand, with clear and safe start points and routes, and to try and walk them through the route before they actually do it, and this is what Welsh Man Walking is all about. It’s there to help people make a start, to feel confident enough to do it with a friend or on their own, and feel safe. It’s a community website, I’m trying to encourage people to get out in nature, experience what I have, and feel the benefits for themselves, both physically and mentally.

It doesn’t matter how far you go, making the first attempt is the most important thing, and then it’s the journey of exploring further and longer and the fun of buying new kit and working out what you need to take on bigger challenges.

3. What was your childhood like? Were you always out and about in the great outdoors?

My childhood was in the South Wales valleys, surrounded by hard-working people, and nature all around; mostly farmland, small villages, hills, and mountains. It was very green, and I was also very sporty, so I played rugby and football, and enjoyed all sports in school. The summer holidays meant being out all day, building camps, walking as far away from the house as possible exploring, and working out what the boundaries were.

I haven’t changed much really, I favour the experience and physical challenge over careers and high-end purchases, and getting out in the mountains in all weathers is a perfect day out for me. I also enjoy exploring cities, especially London, as I’m lucky to be able to go there at any time, and that has encouraged me to do ‘Tube Trekking’ and put those routes on the Welsh Man Walking website.


4. How are you able to stay so active around your day-job?

I’m fortunate to work at Cardiff Metropolitan University, where work-life balance is truly valued. We’re encouraged to be professional while also making the most of our time outside of work, which is one of the reasons I wanted to work here. I also have the opportunity to spend time with young people, helping them reach their goals as they navigate their life journeys.

I do all my training after work, typically stopping by the gym on my way home, and fitting other activities around it. Even with a busy schedule, I rarely miss my sessions. I’m someone who can’t sit still for too long, but I genuinely enjoy it. Setting challenges in the calendar months—or even years—in advance keeps me motivated, and I make sure to train for them accordingly.


5. What has been your favourite hike so far?

The first hike I did in Europe was in the Jungfrau region of Switzerland, I went on my own the first time and loved it so much that I returned a few months later and took a small group with me. I created a 4-day hike starting in Interlaken, then to Grindelwald onto Lauterbrunnen, and back to Interlaken.

It was incredible, to be up close to the North Face of the Eiger was quite emotional, and then to experience an avalanche. Also meeting up with other solo hikers, and staying in hostels was the springboard to experience more of Europe and to have the confidence to take larger groups with me.


6. How do you plan your routes?

I do all my planning on Outdooractive, I have an idea of where I want to go, and then it’s a case of using the maps to plot the routes. I then save them to my account and export the GPX file, which I use on my Garmin watch. The 3D Flyover Previews are very useful, I can see the terrain before I walk it, and then advise others who are coming with me.

The BuddyBeacon is also a very useful feature, especially when I have taken a group to Europe with me. Recently we were in Norway and I had 12 people with me. The routes were quite tricky, and you could easily lose your way walking over boulders, around lakes, and through forests, so it was very helpful to know where everyone was. We used this feature a few times throughout the trip!


7. What advice do you have for anyone who wants to lead a more active lifestyle?

Time is precious, our lives are very hectic, and it is very difficult to balance work, family, and an active lifestyle. The most important thing for me is to go to bed around 10 pm every night, or earlier if I’m tired, and to eat healthily by reducing sugar and fat and replacing it with protein, fruit, and vegetables.

Alcohol is a no-go for me also, it’s not good for me at all. Occasionally I go out with friends, but that can easily ruin a weekend, and time is so precious, so I’d rather get up and get my chores done, do a class, and then relax and rest, or I will get some friends together and head out into the South Wales mountains, usually the Bannau Brycheiniog.

I think you also must be a bit selfish and take time out for yourself. A few minutes of nature in everyday life is enough to do yourself good physically and mentally.

Interview by Isabelle Ernst, Outdooractive Editor – https://monkeysonwheels.com/

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